Latest news with #VijithaHerath
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia and Sri Lanka strengthen ties in trade, tourism, education
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Sri Lanka have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, tourism, education, and skilled labour. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed the discussions during a courtesy visit by Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath. The meeting took place alongside the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related sessions in Kuala Lumpur. Anwar emphasised the mutual benefits of the partnership, stating, 'This close relationship not only benefits both countries but also contributes to regional stability and development.' He also acknowledged Sri Lanka's role in fostering an inclusive and prosperous future for the region. Malaysia remains committed to working with Sri Lanka to advance shared goals, reinforcing ASEAN unity and resilience. The 58th AMM, under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, focuses on 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.' The event includes 24 ministerial-level meetings with ASEAN Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners. Over 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers and senior officials, are attending the four-day summit. – Bernama
The Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia, Sri Lanka to further strengthen bilateral ties, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Sri Lanka have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism, education and skilled labour, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said the matter was discussed during a courtesy call by Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath on Thursday (July 10), in conjunction with the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings currently taking place here. "This close relationship not only benefits both countries but also contributes to regional stability and development," he said in a Facebook post. Anwar also expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka's continued contribution to shaping a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future for the region. He added that Malaysia would continue to work closely with Sri Lanka to achieve shared progress, not only for the people of both countries but also to build a more united, prosperous and resilient Asean community. The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship 2025 themed "Inclusivity and Sustainability", feature 24 ministerial-level meetings involving Asean dialogue partners and sectoral dialogue partners. The four-day high-level gathering brings together around 1,500 delegates, including Asean and Timor-Leste Foreign Ministers, Asean dialogue partners, Asean regional forum participants, sectoral dialogue partners and senior Asean secretariat officials. – Bernama
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First Post
21-06-2025
- First Post
Sri Lanka deports 85 Chinese nationals over bank cybercrime suspicions
The deported individuals were part of approximately 230 Chinese men and women arrested in October on cybercrime charges, with the others still facing legal proceedings read more In a major crackdown on cybercrime gangs, the South Asian nation of Sri Lanka on Friday (June 20) deported 85 Chinese nationals after they were accused of targeting the country's banks. The suspects were found guilty of violating the terms of their tourist visas and fined around $250 each. 'They were arrested by police in October over allegations that they were carrying out online scams targeting international banks,' a senior immigration official who asked for anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to media without permission, told AFP. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The official said the Chinese nationals, including 13 women, were flown on a chartered SriLankan Airlines flight to the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. The group was accompanied by Sri Lankan police and Chinese security escorts. Sri Lankan police reported that a court in Kandy district ordered the electronic devices confiscated from the group to be transferred to Chinese authorities. The deported individuals were part of approximately 230 Chinese men and women arrested in October on cybercrime charges, with the others still facing legal proceedings. The Chinese embassy noted at the time that Beijing's intensified crackdown on cybercriminals domestically may have driven some to operate overseas. In the previous year, police detained around 200 suspects, mostly Indians, who were also accused of running online financial scams. Last year, the country's foreign minister, Vijitha Herath, had expressed concerns that the island nation was becoming a 'hub' for cybercrimes. 'We have to see if Sri Lanka is a cyber crimes hub,' Herath told reporters, 'and whether our financial system is being affected by this.' At that time, Sri Lankan Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said one of the reasons for this could be the 'gullibility' of Sri Lankan nationals. 'It could be a sociological reason; many groups in Sri Lanka are easily enticed by messages, and are gullible.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'People in economic difficulties can be enticed into earning quick money.'
The Independent
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Debt-stricken Sri Lanka and New Zealand discuss ways to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties
Debt-stricken Sri Lanka hosted one of New Zealand 's top ministers to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties in areas such as trade, tourism and agriculture. Winston Peters, New Zealand's deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, met Sri Lanka Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath in the capital Colombo on Monday. The five-day visit by Peters is scheduled to continue until Wednesday The visit comes as Sri Lanka struggles to emerge from its worst economic crisis, which began in the Indian Ocean island nation three years ago. The countries have improved relations in recent years, establishing a New Zealand embassy in Colombo in 2021 and a Sri Lankan embassy in Wellington this year. The discussion Monday focused on advancing ties in trade, investment, agriculture, education and tourism, Herath said. 'We also explored expanding trade links in high-potential sectors such as diary, processed food, fresh produce and discussed improving market access for Sri Lankan products,' Herath told reporters. He commended New Zealand's support in developing Sri Lanka's dairy industry, saying it had a 'transformational impact on rural livelihood.' Sri Lanka has embarked on an effort to expand and modernize its domestic diary industry in recent years, but still produces only about 40% of the country's demand for milk and dairy products, while the balance is imported. New Zealand is a key supplier of those dairy products, especially milk powder. In 2024, New Zealand exported $335 million in goods to Sri Lanka, with dairy products forming the bulk. Trade balance between the nations favors New Zealand, which in 2024 imported goods worth $64 million from Sri Lanka including tea, coffee, apparel and rubber products. The discussion included reducing red tape at the border and how to 'increase Sri Lanka's market access capabilities," Peters said. "We discussed the growing number of New Zealand companies working with and investing in Sri Lanka or looking to work with Sri Lankan partners,' said Peters, adding that those collaborations will benefit Sri Lanka's tourism, agriculture and healthcare sectors. Sri Lanka declared bankruptcy in April 2022 with more than $83 billion in debt, more than half to foreign creditors. It sought the help of the International Monetary Fund, which approved a $2.9 billion, four-year bailout package in 2023 under which Sri Lanka was required to restructure its debt. In September last year, Sri Lanka said it had concluded the debt restructuring process after reaching agreements with bilateral and multilateral creditors and private bondholders. Sri Lanka is seeking to obtain $17 billion in debt service relief. Sri Lanka's crisis was largely the result of economic mismanagement combined with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, along with 2019 terrorism attacks that devastated its important tourism industry. The pandemic also disrupted the flow of remittances from Sri Lankans working abroad.
Washington Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Debt-stricken Sri Lanka and New Zealand discuss ways to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Debt-stricken Sri Lanka hosted one of New Zealand's top ministers to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties in areas such as trade, tourism and agriculture. Winston Peters, New Zealand's deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, met Sri Lanka Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath in the capital Colombo on Monday. The five-day visit by Peters is scheduled to continue until Wednesday
